Tuesday morning, the Marlins released right-hander Seth McClung, leaving right-handers Tim Wood and Rick VandenHurk competing for the last bullpen spot. By day’s end, both had been optioned to Triple-A New Orleans.

The landscape changed dramatically when the Marlins acquired Nate Robertson from the Detroit Tigers. Robertson will join the Marlins rotation, pushing Clay Hensley into the final bullpen spot. VandenHurk will start for the Zephyrs along with Andrew Miller, Ryan Tucker and Sean West, who won’t start the season on time because of a back issue.

VandenHurk was prepared to fill any role in the majors, though traditional relief work remains foreign to him.

“Whatever they want,” VandenHurk said, before Tuesday’s 9-5 win over the Nationals in Jupiter. “It’s that simple. If I can be in the big leagues it doesn’t matter to me if they want me as a reliever, starter, whatever. I’ll be working hard either way and try to make the best out of it either way.”

VandenHurk last season split his time equally between the Marlins and Triple-A New Orleans, making 11 starts for each club. He was exceptional with the Zephyrs, winning five of seven decisions and posting an impressive 0.99 walks and hits per innings pitched. He looked equally good during a four-start stint in the Puerto Rican winter league. He went 1-0 with a 1.80 ERA, one walk, 18 strikeouts and a 0.77 WHIP in 25 innings.

The Marlins need the starting pitching depth at Triple-A.

With the pitching staff now set, the Marlins are down to one bench spot. Brian Barden, Hector Luna and Donnie Murphy — all in camp on minor league deals — are in the mix. Gonzalez hopes to have his 25-man roster set before the team departs for the first of two exhibition games against their minor league affiliates in Jacksonville and Greensboro on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Comments (7 Comments)

there is more upside to keeping vandenHurk over career minor league pitcher Wood. First of all vandenHurk is almost 3 years younger than Wood. Second, the Marlins, because they did not sign any older major league starters, are much more exposed in the area of starting pitching. vandenHurk fits more in with this need than Wood who has not been a starter since 2006.

the 25th player has to be a multi-position player and while all 3 players fit that criteria, H Luna has been the better hitter by far as compared to Donnie Murphy and better than Barden who really has had only 1 good year in his history. But all 3 of them are marginal cheap players.

If I were the Marlins, I would be checking the waiver wire very closely – there will be better players than these 3 who will be released or placed on waivers this week as teams cut down to 25.

Hi Dan,
Tigers are covering $9.6 million, all but the $400,000 league minimum. In that regard it’s a great deal. Robertson has put up nice numbers this spring. He’s pitched 168 or more innings five of the last six years.

Voss was an eighth round pick. He converted from starter to reliever and has done well. He could end up being a decent bullpen piece. Keep in mind, this Marlins front office has not traded away a pitcher with the exception of Josh Beckett that’s become a stud elsewhere.

Dear Juan, Have followed the Tigers since 1956. Actually believe Tigers got the best of this deal–I actually would NOW root for Marlins IF they played Tigers in the World Series–Robertson can not replicate his stuff from the stretch, unless he intends on pitching a bunch of perfect games that will become a problem. It is very obvious when you watch his delivery he becomes a totally different pitcher. rarely touches 90 anymore and has become a finesse pitcher without even finesse stuff.

The Tigers have unbelievable pitching depth in the minors that will arrive pretty quickly. The Marlins have really slipped in that regard. What do you think Marlins would give for a Crosby, Turner or Oliver and that does not include stud relievers. Marlins need to replenish and they give away Voss. Hope i’m wrong about Nate but am not seeing it. Of course it will help pitching in the NL but he must be near perfect to win and if he gets you into the 6th, it’s a cause for celebration.

Is “Rodeo” Ross starting to become a Garciaparra when it comes to being dinged??

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About the author

JUAN C. RODRIGUEZ
My career covering the Marlins has been all about good timing. At Florida Today, I became the...